e after Hrothgar loses one of his counselors to Grendel: Let your sorrow end! It is better for us all / To avenge our friends, not mourn them forever (1384-1385). This passage disproves the idea that Beowulf is a Christian poem, because taking an eye for an eye is not at all a Christian belief. Revenge is an idea promoted by Pagans, and was thought to be necessary to avenge to death of a friend. Another act of revenge is seen when Beowulf attempts to defeat the dragon after it wreaks havoc on the land of the Geats, causing much damage. Even though Beowulf was very old, the fame-hungry king was seeking retribution for the fury the dragon had lashed out onto his city. Beowulf is obviously very arrogant and hot-headed, and does not follow Christian ideas and beliefs. It is proven that this epic poem is a pagan work, because of the accepted seeking of revenge. One final pagan aspect of this poem, is the strong belief that everyone was in the hands of fate, the idea that your life is predetermined. For instance, when the men of Herot are awaiting Grendels wrath, Beowulf states, Fate will unwind as it must! (455). This shows that the warriors did not worry about what would happen, because they are unable to change what is already planned for the future. Beowulfs courage is also explained in this segment, since he could not alter the future no matter what he did, he was not afraid of what would happen. Another occasion where fate takes control is when the dragon kills Beowulf. He has lived a long and meaningful life, but this tragic event proves that everyone is in the hands of fate. This also negates the belief that Beowulf is a Christian poem, because the Christian belief is that ones life is in the hands of God, and is not determined by fate. Beowulf is clearly a pagan poem because it conveys standards that are almost the opposite of Christian beliefs. The pagan beliefs of the time are accepted and followed entirely. T...
